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THE NEXT LEGACY CUP
Diana De Rosa Chats With Geoff Teall

Great was the word that most people used about the Legacy Cup; Just a great event. They loved what they saw. They appreciated for once receiving some prize money and recognition for their efforts, something that rarely happens to the hunters. Thanks to the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation and the Legacy Cup the future is looking brighter for hunters. But this year's Legacy Cup was only a beginning. The key people behind this event - Kavar Kerr, Michele Perla, Louise Serio, Colleen McQuay and Geoff Teall - wanted to start somewhere so they would have something to work from. Geoff Teall had horses competing at the Legacy Cup. So, he was in a good position to speak about what's good, but also where he sees some additions and/or changes for future Legacy Cups. He chatted with me about what he'd like to see happen for the next Legacy Cup.

"We are satisfied with the Legacy Cup. To me it's been a success. I would say we have met the needs of the professionals, including such things as the amount of showing and the separation of the competitions. Also, the prize money is great. The two sections, 3' and 3'6" are correct. The Limited Pro and the Pre-Green Incentive is a great section and the format for the professionals is exactly right.

"When I look at the Non-Pro section, I see gaps that we still need to fill in. I would say that we need to have the bulk of their classes either strictly on the weekend or Friday through Sunday. I would like to include a Limited Non-Pro section as well because I think that would open up opportunities for less experienced riders. I think we need to include a Non-Pro Invitational so that we create opportunity for Non-Pros to show in more classes. I want to give the bulk of the people a chance to compete and to win. I would like to see (perhaps) separate awards for juniors and amateurs within the competition. Once the Non-Pro sections are pinned as a group, I would like the top placed juniors to get awards and the top place amateurs, within the parameters of the class. Just to recognize them in the group that they are used to competing in as well as the group that they are not used to competing in.

"In the long term, with the help of the AHSA, I would love to be able to award points of some sort to the juniors and amateurs. Without changing what we do now. The most important goal of this event is to give the people in this business what they need and/or want. And if points make that better without changing what we do on another level, then we should do it. The goal is to give to people what they want and need without becoming what everything else is.

"There are a few other things that are very important and need to be mentioned. The most important thing is that people that are involved understand that this event is our event; an event of the people and the participants. Consequently, we must work together to use this event to be what we want. It is ours to control.

"A huge thank you needs to go to all of the people for their financial support, interestingly enough from professionals and non-professionals. And beyond that thanking those who gave of their time. So, many people have done things all on their own.

"Finally, I'd like to ask people now that we have completed this one time with some sort of success to please become involved and support us. We need their support by being part of it to make this event even bigger and better than it already is."